What does marvellously mean?
Marvellously is an adverb meaning “in a marvellous or excellent way,” most often used to describe someone or something that performs splendidly. It combines the adjective marvellous with -ly and can intensify praise: a team may have worked “marvellously well,” while a solution may be “marvellously clear.” The word carries a strongly positive, sometimes literary tone, so it is less neutral than simply “very well” and is often chosen for expressive emphasis. In British and Commonwealth English, marvellous has two l’s; American spelling normally uses marvelous and the adverb marvelously. The form is useful when the speaker wants to convey admiration as well as a description of quality. Though it can occur in ordinary conversation, it is especially common in reviews, formal praise, and celebratory writing.
adverbIn a marvellous or splendid way; very well or excellently.
- In an excellent, splendid, or exceptionally successful way.
"The young team performed marvellously in the final."
"She handled the difficult situation marvellously."
"The new system has worked marvellously since it was introduced."
The extra l is a spelling clue to its British and Commonwealth home: Americans usually write “marvelously.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does marvellously come from?
Marvellously was formed by adding the English adverbial suffix -ly to marvellous. Marvellous comes through French from Latin mirabilis, meaning “wonderful” or “remarkable,” and is related to Latin mirari, “to wonder.” The word shares this origin with marvel, while the North American spelling marvelous preserves the same etymological root.
Related word forms
How marvellously is actually used
Common in British and Commonwealth English, while American English normally uses “marvelously.” It is more expressive and sometimes literary or old-fashioned than “very well,” and often conveys admiration as well as a description of quality.